Partially transparent vehicle body component

ABSTRACT

A vehicle body component is provided that includes, but is not limited to a first and a second structural member that are interconnected by a panel member that is at least partially transparent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to British Patent Application No.1005737.0, filed Apr. 7, 2010, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to a vehicle body component beingat least partially transparent for electromagnetic radiation in thevisible spectral range.

BACKGROUND

Due to permanently increasing demands with respect to passenger safety,body components of automotive vehicles have to provide improvedmechanical stability and rigidity, preferably without substantiallyincreasing the overall weight of the vehicle. Depending on suchmechanical demands and prerequisites, certain vehicle body componentsconstantly grow in size and diameter. In particular for such bodycomponents being arranged and located in the field of view of a driveror other passengers of a respective vehicle their size indeed matters.

In particular A- and B-pillars of a vehicle body at least partialobstruct the field of view of the driver of the vehicle. In such cases,where the A- and/or B-pillar sections feature a comparatively largediameter, from a driver's point of view, other road users, in particularpedestrians, might be concealed by such pillar structures. Such anobstruction might become perilous and is considered as beingdisadvantageous in view of pedestrian and general road safety.

In document DE 10 2007 060 870 A1 a structural component of a vehiclebody is disclosed comprising a so-called meta material. The metamaterial comprises a thin film structure having microscopic metalwirings forming an electromagnet. By way of the electromagneticproperties of the meta material, magnetic properties of visible lightbecome manipulable. Hence, visible light can be bended around a pillarstructure. In this way it is possible, that surroundings lying behind avehicle component in view of the vehicle driver become visible for thedriver of the vehicle.

Development of such meta materials is still in an experimental stage.Additionally, these materials are rather sensitive and expensive. It istherefore at least one object to provide a vehicle body providingbeneficial properties with respect to the field of view of the vehicledriver and which enables to provide new and improved concepts forpassenger and road safety. In addition, other objects, desirablefeatures and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequentsummary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

SUMMARY

A first embodiment refers to a vehicle body component comprising atleast a first and a second structural member that are interconnected bya panel member. First and second structural members are arranged in apre-defined distance from each other, and the panel member, typicallycomprising a planar shape extends there between. The panel member is atleast partially transparent for visible light and therefore reduces thedegree of obstruction of a vehicle driver's field of view.

Preferably, the entire panel member is transparent or at least partiallytransparent. Alternatively, the panel member only comprises particularsections being at least partially transparent to visible light. Insteadof a bulky and rather spacious structural member, the invention suggeststo make use of at least two structural members that are preferablyaligned and oriented substantially parallel to each other.

The first and second structural members may therefore comprise smallerdimensions in the field of view of the driver compared to a conventionalone-piece body component. By interconnecting first and second structuralmembers by means of an at least partially transparent panel member,overall stiffness and rigidity of the vehicle body component can bemaintained or even enhanced compared to a conventional one-piece vehiclebody component. Additionally, the transparency of the panel memberallows to visually detect objects and in particular persons locatedbehind the vehicle body component from a driver's point of view.

In an embodiment, the panel member comprises a perforated structure.Hence, the panel member of substantially plane shape comprises regularlyor irregularly arranged through openings of identical or variable size.In a further embodiment, the panel member comprises sheet metal, inparticular sheet steel. Depending on mechanical and rigidityprerequisites, the panel member may even comprise lightweight sheetmetal, in particular aluminum. The size and the spatial distribution ofthe perforations in the sheet metal structure may vary along the panel'sextension and may depend on mechanical load demands.

In an embodiment, the vehicle body component is designed as an A-, B-,and/or C-pillar of the vehicle body. The A-pillar is for instancedivided into two parallel oriented structural members encompassing theat least partially transparent panel member. In this way, the A-pillarbecomes at least partially transparent such that objects or personslocated behind the respective pillar, which would otherwise beobstructed by a conventional pillar, become visually detectable for thedrive of the vehicle.

In a further embodiment, the first and the second structural member forma closed frame member, wherein an inner section of said frame member istraversed by the at least partial transparent panel member. By having aclosed frame structure, mechanical stiffness and rigidity of first andsecond structural members can be enhanced.

In another embodiment, the panel member is integrally formed with atleast one of the first and/or second structural members. In this way,the panel member does not have to be separately interconnected withrespective first and/or second structural members. In particular, theintegrated unit of structural member and panel member can bemanufactured by way of a roll forming procedure, which is particularlybeneficial in terms of production costs and expenditure.

Furthermore, and according to another embodiment, the first and thesecond structural members mutually merge. For instance, when designed asan A-pillar, the vehicle component may be interconnected to a belt linestructure of the vehicle body. Then, first and second structural membersextend in the form of a Y-branch only in the field of view and along awindow aperture of the vehicle body. In an upper section, first andsecond structural members may re-merge or may be separately connectedwith a roof top structure of the vehicle body.

In a further embodiment, the panel member comprises a plane or bendedshape. For instance, first and second structural members of an A-pillarmay be arranged in an arch-like way. The interconnecting panel member isat least slightly bended along its short axis.

In another embodiment, the panel member and at least one of first and/orsecond structural members form an assembly unit, which is adapted to beassembled to the vehicle's body as a whole. By way of arranging firstand second structural members and the panel member in a pre-configurableassembly unit, a respective pillar-module can be manufacturedindependently from the residual vehicle body. Manufacture and supply ofsuch an assembly unit can then for instance be provided by externalautomotive suppliers. The OEM manufacturer then only has to assemble thepre-configured assembly unit with the vehicle body.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the structural memberscomprises a closed profile, by way of which an enhanced mechanicalstability and mechanical rigidity can be provided. Also here, the closedprofile, eventually integrally formed with the panel member, can bemanufactured by way of a roll forming procedure.

In another embodiment, at least one of the structural members comprisesan open profile. Such profiles may be of u- or v-shaped structure. Inparticular, having both structural members at least partially shaped asa u-profile, the panel member can be connected with a side shank portionof first and second structural members, respectively. In this way, firstand second structural members and the interconnecting panel membercomprise a c-shaped cross-sectional profile.

In another embodiment, an A-, B- and/or C-pillar of a body of a vehicle,comprising a vehicle body component as described above. Moreover, anautomotive vehicle is provided comprising the above-described vehiclebody component and/or a respective A-, B- or C-pillar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and:

FIG. 1 shows a partially transparent perspective view of a vehicle body;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of an A-pillar according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional illustration of an A-pillar according toa second embodiment; and

FIG. 4 shows an A-pillar as seen from outside the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is nointention to be bound by any theory presented in the precedingbackground or summary or the following detailed description.

FIG. 1, in a perspective illustration shows an automotive vehicle 10comprising a windscreen 12, an A-pillar 16, 18, a B-pillar 20, aC-pillar 22 as well as a roof top 14. Additionally, a window aperture 15is illustrated.

The A-pillar 16, 18 comprises two longitudinal bars or respective firstand second structural members extending from the body's belt linetowards the roof top structure 14 of the vehicle. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3,two alternative embodiments of an internal structure of an A-pillar 16,18 are illustrated, respectively.

The A-pillar 16 according to FIG. 2 comprises two structural members 26,34, which substantially extend along the generic elongation of theA-pillar 16. Here, the structural member 26 is designed as a closedsomewhat triangular-shaped longitudinal profile, which is integrallyformed with an elongated panel member 24 extending towards the secondstructural member 34 that forms a part of an outerbody-in-white-structure of the vehicle body. The panel member 24 isperforated, as for instance disclosed in FIG. 4. The panel member 24 istherefore at least partially transparent for electromagnetic radiationin the visible spectral range. The structural member 34 is also designedas a closed longitudinal profile. Both structural members 26, 34 arecovered towards the inside of a passenger compartment by means ofinterior linings 36, 38.

The perforated panel member 24 is rigidly and unreleasably connectedwith an outer portion of the structural member 34, e.g. by welding,bonding or similar fastening means. The structural member 34 also servesas a support for a mount 30 and the other structural member 26 providesa support for another T-shaped mount 32. The two mounts 30, 32 serve toprovide a fixing means for a windscreen 12 and/or for an at leastpartially transparent cover 28 to be arranged between the first andsecond structural members 26, 34.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the perforated panel member 24 isarranged and positioned at an outward facing section of first and secondstructural members 26, 34.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, a respective partiallytransparent panel member 44 is arranged at an inward facing section ofrespective first and second structural members 40, 42. Here, and incontrast to the configuration of FIG. 2, first and second structuralmembers 40, 42 comprise a u-shaped cross section, wherein theinterconnecting panel member 44 is connected to respective side shankportions of the u-profiled structural members 40, 42. This way,structural members 40, 42 and the interconnecting panel member 44 form aconvex shaped C-profile structure.

Additionally, first and second structural members 40, 42 are connectedto further structural members 46, 48, 50, wherein mutual interconnectionof structural members 42, 46, 48 forms a closed profile and whereinmutual interconnection of structural members 40, 50 also forms a closedprofile. Structural members 46, 48, 50 typically belong to an inner orouter body-in-white-structure of the vehicle.

However, in both embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, allstructural members 26, 34, 40, 42, 46, 48, 50 are covered by means ofrespective interior linings 36, 38, 56, 58, respectively. In theembodiment according to FIG. 3, the panel member 44 of the vehicle bodycomponent is covered by means of a transparent cover plate 28, which maycomprise glass or a plastic material providing a sufficient andcomparable degree of transparency. Also here, the cover 28 and thewindscreen 12 are mounted to the vehicle body component 18 by way ofmounts 31, 32. The mount 31 in the embodiment according to FIG. 3 isdesigned and configured as a sealing member. Mounting of the windscreen12 and the cover panel 28 is further conducted by making use ofadhesives 52 providing a non-disconnectible connection of the cover 28and the windscreen to the vehicle body.

Both configurations according to FIG. 2 and according to FIG. 3 mayfurther comprise a closed frame structure, wherein the structuralmembers 26, 34 and/or the structural members 40, 42 are mutuallyinterconnected by way of an upper and/or lower connecting piece 17, 19,as for instance illustrated in FIG. 1. This way, a closed framestructure can be established, inherently providing improved mechanicalstrength and rigidity.

FIG. 4 finally shows an enlarged view of an upper section of an A-pillar16, 18 as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 in cross section. Here, theperforated panel member 24, 44 features regularly arranged throughopenings providing a sufficient transparency effect if seen from aparticular distance. Preferably, size and distribution of theperforations in the panel member 24, 44 is chosen according to thedistance between the respective pillar structure 16, 18 and the driverof the vehicle.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing summary and detailed description, it should appreciated that avast number of variations exists. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limitthe scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, theforegoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled inthe art with a convenient roadmap for implementing at least oneexemplary embodiment, it being understood, that various changes may bemade in the function and arrangement of elements described in anexemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth inthe appended claims and their legal equivalence.

1. A vehicle body component, comprising: a first structural member; asecond structural member; and an at least partially transparent panelmember configured to interconnect the first structural member and thesecond structural member.
 2. The vehicle body component according toclaim 1, wherein the at least partially transparent panel membercomprises a perforated structure.
 3. The vehicle body componentaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least partially transparent panelmember comprises perforated sheet metal.
 4. The vehicle body componentaccording to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body component comprises anA-pillar of a vehicle body.
 5. The vehicle body component according toclaim 1, wherein the vehicle body component comprises a B-pillar of avehicle body.
 6. The vehicle body component according to claim 1,wherein the vehicle body component comprises an C-pillar of a vehiclebody.
 7. The vehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein thefirst structural member and the second structural member forms a closedframe member, wherein an inner section of the closed frame member istraversed by the at least partially transparent panel member.
 8. Thevehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the at leastpartially transparent panel member is integrally formed with at leastone of the first structural member and the second structural member. 9.The vehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the firststructural member and the second structural member mutually merge. 10.The vehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the at leastpartially transparent panel member comprises a plane shape.
 11. Thevehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the at leastpartially transparent panel member comprises a bended shape.
 12. Thevehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the at leastpartially transparent panel member and the first structural member formsan assembly unit adapted to be assembled to a vehicle body.
 13. Thevehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the at leastpartially transparent panel member and the second structural memberforms an assembly unit adapted to be assembled to a vehicle body. 14.The vehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the firststructural member comprises a closed profile.
 15. The vehicle bodycomponent according to claim 1, wherein the second structural membercomprises a closed profile.
 16. The vehicle body component according toclaim 1, wherein the first structural member comprises an open profile.17. The vehicle body component according to claim 1, wherein the secondstructural member comprises a closed profile.
 18. The vehicle bodycomponent according to claim 1, wherein the first structural member andthe second structural member comprise a u-shaped profile, and whereinthe at least partially transparent panel member is connected with a sideshank portion of the first and the second structural member.